Target's CEO on Combating Retail Crime: Progress and Plans

Brian Cornell, Target's CEO for a decade, has seen improvements in retail crime management. He admitted that securing essential items isn’t ideal but it keeps stores open. The future holds more of the same – body wash, deodorant, and undergarments will stay behind glass barriers, requiring hand swipes to access. Cornell didn’t specify when these security measures might change. Government support, especially in California, has helped combat retail crime. Target credits the Department of Homeland Security for significant assistance. “I feel much better today than I did a year ago,” Cornell said, reflecting on the current state of things. Retail theft has been a major issue across the U.S., affecting operations and leading to store closures. Retailers like Walmart, Dollar General, and T.J. Maxx have all felt its impact.

Target’s strategy against retail crime includes changes in return policies and self-checkout limits. Recently, they updated their return policy to reserve the right to refuse returns suspected of fraud. In March, they announced limiting self-checkout scans to 10 items or less. April saw new technology alerting shoppers if they forget an item. Additionally, Target plans to hire 100,000 seasonal employees for the holiday rush to maintain operational efficiency and security. Other retailers are also experimenting with new solutions. T.J. Maxx, for instance, uses body cameras on store employees to help reduce theft. The CFO noted that this measure feels effective.

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